I really have enjoyed following Matt Smethurst on Twitter over the years. He is one of the managing editors of The Gospel Coalition and a very thought provoking writer. When I heard that he had a new book coming out about how to approach God’s Word, I knew that I’d be interested in learning more. My 6 year old came downstairs one morning to find me sitting down ready to read Before You Open The Bible. He told me, “Mom, you have already been reading your Bible, I don’t know if you can read that book now.” Throwing caution to the wind, I went ahead and cracked it open and I’m so glad that I did.
Smethurst has done a great job of helping unpack the wonder and awe that we should have at even the availability of the Bible to our generation. So many of us in the “Bible belt” are guilty of owning several Bibles and merely using them to decorate our shelves. The days that the Lord gives us to spend on this earth should be stewarded with one goal in mind…to know Him and to make Him known.
I highlighted several things while reading and have posted those notes below…
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Familiarity can be one of the most dangerous things in the world. p. 2
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I am convinced that a prayerless approach to God’s word is a major reason for the low-level dissatisfaction that hums beneath the surface of our lives. p. 6
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What has captured your imagination? What is enamoring the eyes of your heart? p. 9
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“Texts will often refuse to reveal their treasures until you open them with the key of prayer.” Charles Spurgeon, p. 10
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“One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from a lack of time.” John Piper p. 11
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When was the last time the Bible astonished you? I don’t mean something in the Bible. I mean the Bible itself. p. 15
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We should never take for granted that the exalted Creator would befriend the work of his hands. But that’s precisely what he did. p. 18
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The Bible you possess is evidence that God loves you and wants a relationship with you. p. 19
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“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16, p. 23
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Do I approach the Bible more like it’s a snack or like it’s a feast? p. 24
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Is it more accurate to say I’m willing to hear from God or that I’m desperate to hear from him? p. 24
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Am I merely interested in the Scriptures or am I also internalizing them? p. 24
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“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times…I hold fast to your statutes…I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands (Psalm 119:20, 31, 131). p. 25
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“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” Psalm 111:2, p. 28
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If we’re so careful to study and accurately represent our heroes and loves, why are we lackadaisical in how we talk about our Creator? p. 29
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The purpose of theology is to stoke your worship, to deepen your love, to fuel your mission, and to sustain your life. p. 32
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The One who flung the stars into space and spoke galaxies into being is far too qualified to govern just one or two small provinces in your life. He loves you too much to leave you in charge of an existence you didn’t design. p. 39
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The purpose of the words of Jesus and his apostles—the purpose of your Bible, friend—is to flood your heart with joy. p. 50
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…it is the nature of discipline to give way to delight. p. 51
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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 p. 60
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Old Testament: AnticipationGospels: ManifestationActs: ProclamationEpistles: ExplanationRevelation: ConsummationFrom beginning to end, your Bible is an epic story about Jesus. p. 75
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…the way we treat the words of God reveals what we really think and feel about him. p. 79
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Your Bible is a bottomless treasure chest of beauty and wonder, strength, and joy. May you approach it for the rest of your days as if that’s true, because it is. p. 79